Fairyhouse report: Willie Mullins starts new year with four-timer

Allegorie De Vassy made all to slam market rival Limerick Lace by 25 lengths in the featured, Grade 3 YellowFord John & Chich Fowler Memorial Irish EBF Nares Chase

Wed, 01 Jan, 2025 - 16:15

John Ryan

Willie Mullins started 2025 with a bang, sharing a fantastic Fairyhouse four-timer with stable-jockey Paul Townend, in addition to registering a double in Tramore.

Pride of place must go to the classy, if enigmatic, Allegorie De Vassy (5/4 favourite) who made all to slam market rival Limerick Lace by no less than 25 lengths in the featured, Grade 3 YellowFord John & Chich Fowler Memorial Irish EBF Nares Chase.

The six-year-old, recording her fifth success over fences, bowled along, jumping fluently, and was left clear when nearest pursuer and last year’s winner Riviere d’Etel crashed three from home.

“That was a nice performance. She enjoyed being in front and Paul said she enjoyed jumping and galloping," Mullins said. "She produced some super jumps and won really well.

"We’ll probably look at the ‘Operas Hat’ in Naas – dropping back to two miles won’t be ideal, but it looks a suitable, race, for mares.”

The final leg of the Closutton haul was the chase debut success, after a 614-day absence, of Champ Kiely (10/11 favourite) in the Bellshill Beginners Chase.

Now a nine-year-old, and winner of the Grade 1 ‘Lawlors Of Naas’ almost two years ago, Champ Kiely dictated the pace and, pressed by Cleatus Poolaw three from home, galloped on resolutely to beat Chigorin by eleven lengths.

“He jumped great and Paul was very happy with him,” commented the trainer. “We’ll have to look at the two-mile-five furlong Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival now. And Paul felt that he was so relaxed, which means you could step him up in trip.”

Pulled up at Wexford last time, Aurora Vega kicked-off the Mullins haul, making all to justify 10/11 favouritism in the opening Wising Everyone A Healthy 2025 Mares Hurdle, holding off Mongibello by two and a half lengths.

“At least, that puts the Wexford run behind her and she’s back on an upward curve,” said Mullins, “I was very happy with the way she jumped and handled the ground. I like when they show a liking for the track – we’ll look at the ‘Solerina’, back here, at the end of the month and, maybe, the Grade 1 at Easter.”

Those who bet the odds-on about the Mullins-trained 4/11 shot Sounds Victorious had a few anxious moments before collecting.

Having made most of the running, the favourite was headed by gambled-on Come Walk With Me at the second last flight but, galvanised by Townend, Sounds Victorious rallied, asserted on the run-in and scored by two and three-quarter lengths.

“He’s a real chasing type, very laid-back and just idled,” explained Mullins. “It took him a while to pick-up when he was headed. He’ll stay further and will go on better ground. He could be an Albert Bartlett type.”

Pick of the handicap hurdler action was the breakthrough success of 10/1 shot Must Go Now, trained locally by Eddie Cawley and ridden by Kieren Buckley, in the Easter festival 18th-20th April Handicap Hurdle.